PRESERVE KNOWLEDGE

My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
       Listen well to my words of insight,

  That you may maintain discretion
       And your lips may preserve knowledge. (Proverbs 5:1&2 (NIV)

Wisdom is one of the greatest possessions we could ask to have. There is a financial company that uses an older man with gray hair who points to it and says, “this is evidence of wisdom.” The point is that wisdom comes through time. It is such a shame that it takes so long to gain wisdom.  George Bernard Shaw once remarked, “Youth is wasted on the young.” But Mark Twain also said, “Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.” One statement has nothing to do with the other and to understand this fact is to comprehend what is wisdom.

Foot and mouth disease is all too common in our society.  “I should have kept my big fat mouth shut!” is a quiet thought we have after reflection on what we uttered.  The inclination to speak without thinking is a clear indication wisdom, for the moment, has eluded a person.

“Pay attention to MY wisdom.” Every time an adult says this to a younger person it is the “MY” that is the person hears and rejects. When God says, “Pay attention to MY wisdom.” That is something we should heed. Let us, on this Monday, do as God advises, “maintain discretion” and “seal our lips to preserve knowledge.” In other words, “don’t open mouth and insert foot” to not only sound foolish but also look foolish.

Prayer for today: Lord give me the wisdom to speak when I should and wisdom not to speak when I shouldn’t.” Amen!